This ranch in Dryhead Canyon on the eastern slopes of the Pryor Mountains south of Billings in the state of Montana is fully managed and breeds quarter horses and cattle. It is by no means a pure tourist destination and golf courses and swimming pools you will search in vain! On the approximately 16,000 hectares of land of the ranch live about 900 cows with their calves. Enjoy Montana´s so-called "Big Sky Country", the dreamlike silence of nature and the breathtaking beauty of the landscape! Founded in 1898, the ranch is located right on the border between Wyoming and Montana, surrounded by rolling hills, forests, rivers and the majestic Pryor Mountains. In spring and fall, the Pryor Mountain Ranch is transformed into cattle drives. A very special experience for good riders! You´ll feel like you´re on a journey back in time - the Bassett family, who have been running the ranch for over 50 years, look forward to sharing with you the lifestyle of a real working ranch!
Have you always wanted to be a cowboy/cowgirl? At Pryor Mountains Working Ranch your wish will come true! During your stay here, your horse will become a real partner with whom you will carry out daily chores. During the season, when the cattle graze further up in the mountains, to ride you will go to a different area every day and help with burning, vaccinating, catching and driving the animals. You also have to repair fences, catch escapees and wean calves from their mothers. So there's plenty to do all year round!
During your stay, you will spend the night at Ranch in a rustic but cozy guest house or in a room in the main building of Ranch, where you will also enjoy home-cooked Western-style food.

Itinerary

Spring Drive:
In the first weeks of May, about 250 to 300 suckler cows with their just born calves are driven from Wyoming to Montana. The approx. 90 km long route leads through breathtaking landscapes. You follow an old Sioux trail, cross the Big Horn Nature Reserve and the habitats of wild horses. On well-trained and reliable Quarter Horses you ride with the cowboys and help with all the necessary work. The program includes driving the animals, treating minor wounds and catching escapees. The Spring Drive is a little slower in terms of speed, as the baby calves are also included.

Fall Drive:
From September to October we start rounding up the cattle on the summer pastures in Montana and bring them back to the ranch in Wyoming. Again, a total distance of about 90 km is covered - at a faster pace than in spring, as only the suckler cows are driven. Autumn is a fantastic time to ride and you will experience the great outdoors in its most beautiful colors! See also the detailed de ion of the Pryor Mountains Working Ranch and the Pryor Mountains Horse Drives - all three programs can also be combined wonderfully!

Accomodation
Accommodation is at the ranch. Short transfers are unavoidable. Breakfast and dinner are taken at the ranch, lunch is a picnic lunch on the way.
During your stay at the Pryor Mountains Working Ranch you will stay in the guesthouse, in a room in the main building of the ranch or in one of the cabins. In the so-called Bunkhouse there are six guest rooms in western style and shared bathrooms. You can also sit on the inviting veranda and tell cowboy stories.

In the main house of the ranch there are 3 guest rooms with shared bathrooms and there is a living room for everyone.
The cabins are located just below the main house with beautiful views of the ranch and the pastures of the young horses, not far from Dryhead Creek and have private bathrooms.

Meals are all taken together in the old cookhouse. The western style kitchen includes tender steaks, chicken, vegetables and fresh salad, as well as homemade bread, cakes and desserts. There are always plenty of tasty biscuits available for in-between meals. All meals are served buffet style. As you will be on the road over lunchtime at "work", you will receive a rich lunch package.

At the ranch there is a Ranch Store where you can buy or rent some things that are useful for your stay at the ranch.

Saddle & Tack: Western saddles and bridles.

Experience: Suits advanced riders.

Horses: Quarter Mix